Frank Joseph MOLTHEN (aka Doc) [c.1893-1967]

Submitted by Admin on Sun, 05/12/2013 - 23:20

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Names

Given

Frank Joseph

Family

Molthen

Alias / nickname

Doc

Sex

Male

Status

Deceased

Born

Date

1 Jan 1893

(Day, Month, & Year are approximate.)

Died

Date

15 Oct 1967

Died in (country)

Hong Kong

An American chiropractor. In WW2 he was initially interned in Stanley Camp, then was sponsored to be allowed to live outside camp, then was re-interned but in Ma Tau Wai camp (see comments below).

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Comments

Frank Molthen, chiropractor.

Frank Molthen, chiropractor. Friend of Gingle. Guaranteed out of Stanley on August 5, 1942.

Frank Molthen

Henry Ching writes:

Dr Molthen was later interned in Ma Tau Wai Internment Camp.

Gingle was also interned there, so it looks as though they stuck together.

Interesting. Does Henry know

Interesting. Does Henry know if the re-internment was voluntary?

I don’t think so. I believe a number of internees who had been released from Stanley under the sponsorship scheme were recalled and re-interned in Ma Tau Wai. One such was J.C.Ferguson – he had been interned in Stanley on his own, but was released to re-join his (Eurasian) family. On re-internment the whole family was included.

Thanks, Henry.Arthur May

Thanks, Henry.

Arthur May was finally interned in the summer of 1944 in Mau Ta Wai, having been free up until then. I wonder if this was when the Americans were sent in.

Died in 1967

Carl Smith card 126971:

Cremation - 18 Oct. 1967 - Frank Joseph Molthen, 74 years, 2 Grampian Road, American Doctor, d. 15 Ov. [sic] 1967.

Frank Joseph Molthen

........certain reassuring facts have come to hand through different sources, indicating a slightly less rigid control of internees at Camp Stanley by the Japanese. A telegram has been received by the Red Cross, Washington from Father Twoley*, Maryknoll missionary, Hongkong. It came via Chungking. He gave news of ten Americans who refused repatriation in the Gripsholm, electing to stay in Hongkong:

1. William Gunn, ex-Navy;

2. "Red Salmon" (sic), ex-Navy;

3. Ed Shanks (sic), businessman;

4. Dr. Moulten (sic), chiropractor;

5. Bill Kiley, ex-Socony;

6. Mr. Jones, compradore;

7. Paul Gregory;

8. Capt. Miller, merchant marine;

9. Mr. Nance, wife and three children;

10. Mr. Gingles (sic), Palace Hotel

All but Shanks in good health. More or less at liberty. The Shanghai Evening Post and Mercury newspaper 23 April 1943 refers.

* Father Twoley likely is Father John Joseph Toomey

Note 1 - As mentioned here, Mr. W. Gunn, Mrs. N. L. Gunn and two boys aged 5 & 2 were repatriated to America leaving by HMS Vindex on 18.11.45.

Note 2 - "Red Salmon" was Ernest Percy Sammons (aka Red), a close friend and work colleague of Gingle

Note 3 - Shanks was Edward Dean Shank

Note 4 - Dr. Moulten was Dr. Frank Joseph Molthen

Note 5 - Kiley was William Charles Kailey

Note 6 - Likely Joel Russell Jones

Note 7 - Likely Thomas Paul Gregory

Note 8 - Capt. Miller was Captain Albert Magnus Miller

Note 9 - Nance refers to Ancil Benjamin Nance, Elizabeth Margaret Nance and their 3 Children at the time, Winifred, Ancil, Jonathan Goforth

Note 10 - Gingles was Edward Francis Gingle

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